Mamata asks Clinton to jointly develop entertainment industry

Open to the idea of developing a synergy between Bollywood, Hollywood and Tollywood, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Monday told West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that Hindi films have a lot of followers in America.

Putting emphasis on development of the entertainment industry, Banerjee sought a joint endeavour from the US to work together for the development of Bengal's entertainment industry along with Bollywood and Hollywood.

"I told her that if we create a synergy between Bollywood, Tollywood and Hollywood then our people (artistes) can go there and their people can come here. She liked my suggestion", the CM said.

Clinton told her that they would discuss the topic and revert after going back.

When Banerjee pointed out to Clinton that Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan was the brand ambassador of the state, she said, a lot of Bollywood fans are there in the United States.

"I told her that we also watch a lot of Hollywood films here", Banerjee said, adding, they want to develop cultural tourism in the state, known for its rich heritage.